INTRODUCTION
- There are times when someone may not be completely ready to begin regular Bible studies with you. Perhaps they are not very eager to know God in a deeper way, Or maybe they have not considered what it really means to have a personal relationship with God, Or perhaps your relationship with them is not quite comfortable enough to launch into the Word of God Study. That is where this “Pre-Study Talk” can be especially helpful
PURPOSE
- The purpose of this “Pre-Study” is to inspire such a person to seek a deeper relationship with God by studying the Bible. I have called this a “Seeking God Talk” as it is much more casual than the other studies. While all of the subsequent studies should feel like “good talks” as well, this is especially the goal of this one.
Keywords: Genuine enthusiasm
It is a good idea to start this study with a good discussion about each other’s spiritual or religious background. Like Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, we are not only sharing the gospel but our lives as well. The more you get to know about their personal background, the more you will be able to help them apply the Scriptures to their life. Without sounding like an interrogator, find out more about them, such as their religious upbringing; whether or not they presently attend a church; their thoughts and convictions about God, the Bible, etc. Again, the more you can get to know them, the more you can help them. Make sure you share about your own life as well, so they can get to know you.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:8
8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
If they seem open enough to begin our First Principles series (The Bible – God’s Word), then go directly to that. If not, then share one or both of the following passages:
ACTS 17:24-28
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’b]
• Look how much God wanted a relationship with man. What did He do to draw near to man?
• What did they have to do in order to find God? Seek Him.
• What does it mean to “seek God?” If someone really wanted to get
closer to God, what would they do? Share personally about why and
how you began to seriously seek a deeper relationship with God.
• Do you want to seek a deeper relationship with God like that?
• Explain that you have some great, personal Bible Studies that you
would love to share with them, so you can help them and help each other draw nearer to God.
JEREMIAH 29:11-13
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
• God is sharing His vision for His people in that day. He had incredible plans to prosper them and not to harm them; to give them hope and a future. Is it any different today? God has amazing plans for every life.
• If we are to discover those plans, we must first draw near to God. They only way to do that is to seek Him with all our hearts. What does that mean? Have you ever sought something with all your heart?
• Share about why and how you began to seek God with all your heart.
• Explain that you have some great, personal Bible Studies that you would love to share with them, so you can help them and help each other draw nearer to God.
• Set up the next study.
